Understanding sex and relationship education, youth and class
Subtitle: a youth work-led approach
By: Sharon Elley, University of Leeds, UK
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
ISBN-13: 9780230278868
Subjects: Youth; Sexual behavior; Sex instruction for youth; Sexual ethics; Social stratification
Description: Why does sex and relationship education (SRE) continue to have mixed success? Why is teaching SRE difficult? And why do some adolescents practice safe sex according to the SRE messages while others still engage in risky sexual behaviour? To answer these questions, this book explores a cutting edge Youth Work-based SRE programme that examines how young people aged 15-21 engage with SRE, describing how a range of socioeconomic, cultural and sexual norms, values and attitudes differently shape their decision-making on sex, intimacy and future pathways. The empirical data presents young people's rich accounts from diverse socioeconomic contexts and relationships, as well as sex educators' views on the efficacy of SRE. Important key themes are family and friendship networks, education and employment expectations, and personal and romantic relationships. Uniquely theorising classed circumstances and expectations with gendered heterosexual practices, "Understanding Sex and Relationship Education, Youth and Class" reveals that understanding the contextual specifics of teens lives is crucial for the relevancy of SRE. Drawing on SRE and Youth Service practice, alongside policy debates in the UK and international context, means that this book will be useful for readers worldwide, and those interested in sociology, social policy, sexual and public health studies, as well as policymakers and youth practitioners.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.201-214) and index.